An Act to prevent the commission of offences of atrocities against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts for the trial of such offences and for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of such offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fortieth Year of the Republic of India as Follows :-

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. (2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu & Kash- mir. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.